Mr. Kenneth James Dartley, 84, of Wilton, passed away Wednesday August 17, 2016 at Norwalk Hospital. He was the widower of Christine (Nordstrom) Dartley. Kenneth was born in New York on July 1, 1932, son of the late Albert Elias and Ethel (Bishar) Dartley. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and, was a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a degree in Chemistry. Ken spent over 50 years in the chemical industry working in sales. For the bulk of his career, he served as Director of Sales for Stauffer Chemical in Westport, eventually founded his own company, with a partner, in 1995; he retired in 2009. He was a member of Racemics, DCAT, and, numerous other industry organizations. Ken moved to Wilton in 1976 with his wife Christine and his son, Kenneth. Ken was a well-known member of the Wilton Community and played an integral role in the founding of the Wilton Commons, an affordable senior apartment complex, the Wilton Veterans Green, and, the organization, Stay at Home in Wilton. Inspired by the tragic loss of a Wilton native - Pfc. Nick Madaras, in Afghanistan while serving in the U.S. Marines - Ken, along with the Madaras family, and, the American Legion began a program known as “Kick for Nick”, which sent over 40,000 soccer balls to the underprivileged and displaced children of Afghanistan and Iraq. Ken was a member of Wilton American Legion Post 86 and served briefly on the Wilton Board of Selectmen. Ken enjoyed golf, trap shooting and, most of all, spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed his friends from his many clubs and organizations, past and present, including Wykagyl Country Club, Salem Golf Club, The 20 Knotty Pines, and the Atlantic Indians, among many others. Kenneth is survived by his son Kenneth Anders Dartley and his wife Erin of Ridgefield and their three children, Finn James Dartley, Liam Christopher Dartley and Connor Fitzpatrick Dartley all of whom lovingly knew him as “Grandpapa”. A Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 at the Wilton Presbyterian Church, 48 New Canaan Rd., Wilton, CT. Friends may call on Tuesday, August 30 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St., New Canaan. For those that wish to attend, a burial with military honors will take place Wednesday morning, August 31st at 10:00 am in Hillside Cemetery in Wilton prior to the Memorial. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Stay At Home in Wilton & The Wilton Historical Society for programs and activities encompassing embroidery and other needle arts in conjunction with the Fairfield County Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, an organization supported by his beloved wife, Christine N. Dartley. Tuesday August 30, 2016 , 4:00pm - 8:00pm at Hoyt Funeral Home Click for Map and Directions Wednesday August 31, 2016 , 10:00am at Hillside Cemetery Click for Map and Directions Wednesday August 31, 2016 , 11:00am at Wilton Presbyterian Church Click for Map and Directions